Federal Richmond MP Justine Elliot has called on local constituents to rally against the federal government next month and denied allegations she was ‘put up to it’.
Last week the Sydney Morning Herald reported that ALP head office had urged Labor members in regional seats such as Richmond to use the unpopular federal budget to raise their profiles in their electorates.
But Mrs Elliot says the budget itself was the trigger for her decision to hold the rally.
‘Since the budget was announced I’ve really been inundated with calls from locals about how the budget will impact them, so I’ve been working with a lot of individuals and groups about organising a rally like this,’ she told ABC radio this morning.
In announcing the rally late last week Mrs Elliot said, ‘Tony Abbott and the Liberal-National government have delivered a budget of broken promises that will hurt pensioners and families already struggling to make ends meet.
‘So many locals have approached me worried about Tony Abbott’s plans for a GP tax, a petrol tax, and cuts to their pensions and family benefits.
‘The people of north coast have every right to feel betrayed by this budget of broken promises and twisted priorities.
‘This budget is an unprecedented attack on the standard of living of north coast locals, and a complete betrayal of every one of them.
The rally will take place at Tweed Heads Civic Centre, at 10am on Thursday June 12.
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